Boer War Timeline

(October 11, 1899 – May 31, 1902)

The Boer War, also known as the Second Anglo-Boer War (1899–1902), was fought between the British Empire and the two independent Boer republics—the Orange Free State and the South African Republic (Transvaal). The conflict arose from British imperial ambitions and control over gold-rich territories. It featured guerrilla warfare, concentration camps, and ended with British victory and the annexation of the Boer republics into the Union of South Africa. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Background and Causes

British annexation of the Cape Colony

1806

Britain seized the Dutch Cape Colony during the Napoleonic Wars and formally acquired it in 1814. British rule brought English-language administration, Anglicization policies, and eventually the abolition of slavery, all of which alienated the Boer settlers of Dutch descent.

Image source: Cape Colony

The Great Trek begins

1835

Discontented with British rule, thousands of Boer farmers known as Voortrekkers left the Cape Colony in ox-wagon trains, moving north and east into the interior of southern Africa to establish independent republics beyond British control.

Image source: Great Trek

Battle of Blood River

Dec 16, 1838

Voortrekker commandos under Andries Pretorius defeated a large Zulu force at the Ncome River, a victory that became central to Afrikaner identity and secured Boer expansion into Natal and the interior.

Image source: Battle of Blood River

Establishment of the South African Republic (Transvaal)

1852

By the Sand River Convention, Britain recognized the independence of the Boers north of the Vaal River, allowing them to found the South African Republic, commonly known as the Transvaal.

Image source: South African Republic

Establishment of the Orange Free State

1854

Under the Bloemfontein Convention, Britain abandoned its sovereignty over the Orange River territory, permitting the Boers to create the independent Orange Free State between the Orange and Vaal rivers.

Image source: Orange Free State

Discovery of diamonds at Kimberley

1867

The discovery of rich diamond deposits near the confluence of the Orange and Vaal rivers transformed the region's economy, drew massive British investment and immigration, and heightened imperial interest in the Boer republics.

Image source: Kimberley, Northern Cape

Anglo-Zulu War

Jan 11, 1879 - Sep 4, 1879

Britain invaded Zululand, defeating the Zulu kingdom after early setbacks such as Isandlwana. The destruction of Zulu military power removed a major obstacle to colonial expansion but also emboldened Boer resistance to British rule.

Image source: Anglo-Zulu War

Discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand

1886

The discovery of the world's largest gold deposits near Johannesburg triggered an enormous influx of foreign miners, mostly British, known as uitlanders, whose political exclusion became a major source of tension with Paul Kruger's government.

Image source: Witwatersrand Gold Rush

First Boer War

British annexation of the Transvaal

Apr 12, 1877

Citing the Transvaal's financial troubles and fears of Zulu conflict, Britain annexed the South African Republic under Theophilus Shepstone. The move was deeply resented by the Boers, who repeatedly petitioned for restoration of their independence.

Image source: First Boer War

Boer uprising against British rule in the Transvaal

Dec 16, 1880

Frustrated by years of petitions ignored by London, Transvaal Boers declared the restoration of their republic at Paardekraal and attacked British garrisons, beginning the First Boer War.

Battle of Bronkhorstspruit

Dec 20, 1880

A Boer commando ambushed and destroyed a British column marching to reinforce Pretoria, killing or wounding most of its officers and men in one of the first engagements of the war.

Image source: Battle of Bronkhorstspruit

Siege of Pretoria begins

Dec 23, 1880 - Mar 1881

Boer forces surrounded the British garrison in Pretoria, besieging it for months while other garrisons across the Transvaal were similarly isolated, demonstrating the weakness of British control.

Battle of Laing's Nek

Jan 28, 1881

General George Colley's Natal Field Force assaulted entrenched Boer positions on the Drakensberg pass and was repulsed with heavy casualties, including many of the 58th Regiment.

Image source: Battle of Laing's Nek

Battle of Schuinshoogte (Ingogo)

Feb 8, 1881

Colley's force fought an inconclusive engagement with Boer commandos near the Ingogo River while escorting a convoy; British losses were severe and the force narrowly escaped encirclement.

Image source: Battle of Schuinshoogte

Battle of Majuba Hill

Feb 27, 1881

Boer marksmen stormed Majuba Hill and routed General Colley's troops, killing Colley himself. The humiliating defeat shocked Britain and effectively decided the outcome of the First Boer War.

Image source: Battle of Majuba Hill

Convention of Pretoria restores Transvaal independence

Aug 3, 1881

Britain signed a convention granting the South African Republic self-government under British suzerainty, ending the First Boer War without full recognition of complete independence.

Image source: Pretoria Convention

London Convention signed

Feb 27, 1884

A revised agreement reduced British suzerainty over the Transvaal, though retaining control over its foreign relations. The Boers interpreted it as restoring near-full independence, sowing later disputes.

Image source: London Convention (1884)

Second Boer War

Jameson Raid fails

Dec 29, 1895 - Jan 2, 1896

Leander Starr Jameson led a failed raid from Bechuanaland into the Transvaal to spark an uitlander uprising against Kruger. Its collapse embarrassed Cecil Rhodes, deepened Boer distrust of Britain, and pushed both sides toward war.

Image source: Jameson Raid

Kruger elected to fourth term as Transvaal president

1898

Paul Kruger won re-election as president of the South African Republic, continuing his firm resistance to uitlander demands and British pressure, hardening the diplomatic standoff.

Image source: Paul Kruger

Bloemfontein Conference fails

May 31, 1899 - Jun 5, 1899

Alfred Milner and Paul Kruger met to negotiate uitlander franchise rights but talks collapsed due to irreconcilable positions, making war increasingly likely.

Image source: Bloemfontein Conference

Transvaal issues ultimatum to Britain

Oct 9, 1899

Facing British troop buildups on its borders, the Transvaal demanded that Britain withdraw its forces within 48 hours or face war. Britain rejected the ultimatum, and the Orange Free State joined the Transvaal in declaring war.

Image source: Second Boer War

Sieges of Ladysmith, Mafeking, and Kimberley begin

Oct 14, 1899

Boer forces invaded Natal and the Cape frontier, besieging the key towns of Ladysmith, Mafeking, and Kimberley, trapping large British garrisons and dominating the war's opening phase.

Image source: Siege of Ladysmith

Battles of Stormberg, Magersfontein, and Colenso

Dec 10, 1899 - Dec 17, 1899

In a disastrous 'Black Week,' British forces suffered three consecutive defeats: at Stormberg, Magersfontein where the Highland Brigade was shattered, and Colenso where General Buller's assault failed, prompting his replacement by Lord Roberts.

British scorched earth policy and concentration camps

1900 - 1902

To deny guerrillas support, Kitchener burned Boer farms and herded civilians, mostly women and children, into concentration camps where poor conditions caused tens of thousands of deaths, provoking international outrage.

Image source: Second Boer War concentration camps

Battle of Spion Kop

Jan 23, 1900 - Jan 24, 1900

British forces seized Spion Kop by night only to be pinned down by Boer artillery and rifle fire from surrounding hills; after horrific casualties they withdrew, another costly setback in the campaign to relieve Ladysmith.

Image source: Battle of Spion Kop

Relief of Kimberley and capture of Bloemfontein

Feb 15, 1900 - Mar 13, 1900

Lord Roberts launched a major offensive: French's cavalry relieved Kimberley, Piet Cronjé surrendered with 4,000 men at Paardeberg, and Roberts entered Bloemfontein, capital of the Orange Free State, in March.

Image source: Great Trek

Relief of Ladysmith

Feb 28, 1900

After months of siege marked by disease and shelling, Buller's forces finally broke through Boer lines and relieved Ladysmith, boosting British morale after earlier defeats.

Relief of Mafeking

May 17, 1900

Colonel Robert Baden-Powell's 217-day defense of Mafeking ended when a flying column broke the siege, sparking wild celebrations in Britain that coined the term 'mafficking.'

Image source: Siege of Mafeking

Annexation of the Orange Free State and Transvaal

May 28, 1900 - Oct 25, 1900

Britain annexed the Orange Free State as the Orange River Colony and later proclaimed the annexation of the Transvaal, though Boer commandos continued guerrilla resistance long after formal conquest.

Image source: Orange River Colony

Battle of Bergendal

Aug 26, 1900 - Aug 27, 1900

Kitchener's forces decisively defeated the last organized Boer army in the field along the Delagoa Bay railway, forcing President Kruger to flee to Portuguese East Africa and ending conventional warfare.

Image source: Battle of Bergendal

Guerrilla warfare phase begins

Sep 1900

With their armies broken, Boer leaders such as Christiaan de Wet and Koos de la Rey turned to mobile guerrilla raids, attacking supply lines and isolated garrisons, prolonging the war for nearly two more years.

Aftermath and Legacy

Peace negotiations at Vereeniging

Apr 1902 - May 31, 1902

Boer representatives met British negotiators at Vereeniging and, after bitter debate, accepted terms surrendering independence in exchange for £3 million compensation, amnesty, and eventual self-government.

Image source: Treaty of Vereeniging

Treaty of Vereeniging ends the Second Boer War

May 31, 1902

The signing of the Treaty of Vereeniging formally ended the Second Boer War, bringing the Boer republics under British sovereignty and closing one of the costliest conflicts of the late Victorian era.

Formation of the Union of South Africa

May 31, 1910

Eight years after the war, the former Boer republics and British colonies were united as the self-governing Union of South Africa, fulfilling the imperial vision of federation and granting former Boer generals like Botha and Smuts leading roles.

Image source: Union of South Africa

Key Facts

The war began on October 11, 1899, when the Boer republics declared war on Britain after tensions over Uitlander rights and British imperial expansion.
Boer forces initially scored significant victories, including the sieges of Ladysmith, Mafeking, and Kimberley in late 1899.
British reinforcements under Lord Roberts reversed the tide in 1900, capturing Bloemfontein and Pretoria.
After conventional defeat, Boers waged a prolonged guerrilla campaign, prompting the British to use scorched-earth tactics and concentration camps where thousands of civilians died.
The Treaty of Vereeniging, signed on May 31, 1902, ended the war, with the Boer republics becoming British colonies that later formed part of the Union of South Africa in 1910.

Source

This Boer War timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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